I posted this to the bug group yesterday but I seem to have better luck here. So, can anyone tell me what this little guy/gal is? I found him on my sassafras tree. Weird, but cute bug eyes!

well how large is he? An inch maybe ? He sure is neat looking.

https://www.google.com/search?...

here is a link to some pics of similar

w/o knowing a thing much about caterpillars, I'd say this is a luna moth, a hawkmoth, ? whatever it is, I think it is going to be something desirable.

Looks a lot like this one, doesn't it? The Spicebush Swallowtail? Hope so; that's a really pretty butterfly!
http://w3.marietta.edu/~biol/b...

No idea but he is so cute you might be compelled to give him a name!

Yes, spicebush swallowtail caterpillar.

Edited to add, Terri you didn't actually post the pictures on the pest and diseases forum.

YES! Thank you woofie, cwhitt and sooby! I have seen many of those butterflies around the property and they are stunning! My boyfriend actually found him while picking Japanese beetles off of the sassafras tree. He is 6'6" (tall = more access to dern beetles) and 350lbs ....so when he said "look at this cute little guy!" I just had to go see. Nature finds like this is caterpillar are turning him into a curious gentle giant, which has been so rewarding to watch.

Anyone else know of someone who has been softened by the gardening bug?

I saw one of those butterflies here once (but only once, sigh). Didn't know what it was at the time. Lucky you to have a bunch of them around!

Yes, I am. Their coloration is beautiful. Now I need to find a way to control the Japanese beetles without killing the butterfly babies! They are too high up to pick off so I wonder if I have to let them exfoliate my tree? Where would I ask that question...under pests?